DUST OF SNOW CBSE CLASS 10 - ANALYSIS AND SUMMARY/ EXPLANATION

Since we already know from our reading of Frost's The Road Not Taken in class 9 that he is always fascinated with nature, here in class 10 we have another poem that has nature surrounding it: much smaller but all the more deep in what it conveys to us readers.

Look at the poem: how small, isn't it? Like a nursery rhyme. But it has a deep meaning and a strong lesson worth learning.

Theme: Significance of small things in life, healing power of nature.

Structure: The poem is just one line. Well, this is a pleasant surprise when you realise this. But indeed it is: one line divided into 8 smaller phrases, neatly forming a poem.

Analysis: 

First Stanza - There's no clue about what had been or what the poet was going through. He immediately begins with what actually happens to him. What we can reckon is that the poet is sitting under a hemlock tree. A crow comes and sits on a branch of the tree and shakes off some snow (fine particles of snow like crystals) from it, due to the swing created by his motion.

Second Stanza - This shaking off and falling of snow gives his heart "a change of mood". Now we understand he is 'amused' by this trivial event, and in no manner is this trivial event any less impactful because it saves a part of his day. This tells us that he had had a bad day (probably something went wrong or he had an argument with someone), and the day did not at least end badly, only because of the crow.

Now it is important to observe that both crow and hemlock tree are ominous (bad and unlucky) symbols. Crow is associated with death and misfortune while hemlock is a poisonous tree. The reason poet uses them is that he wants to convey that nature is effective and powerful in all forms: something is auspicious or ominous only because we think it so. Nature is almighty in all forms and it alleviates human suffering. Thus, the theme of the poem is 'nature's healing power'.

Further, small events in life can also be meaningful and effective. A small thing or event can change somebody's day or something's course of action.